Making the connection in the construction industry

30 May 2018

Spokespeople from British Fluid Power Association member companies, Sun Hydraulics Ltd, Fluidpower Group and Camozzi Automation Ltd, and OEM Marubeni-Komatsu consider the importance of connectivity within the construction sector; both from a technology and human interaction perspective.

From a technology standpoint, construction, like any other industrial sector, cannot afford to stand still. Indeed, the past few years have seen an increasing level of attention being given not just to developments in more ‘traditional’ areas of equipment and machinery but also in areas based on more sophisticated levels of automation and computerisation. We increasingly hear the term digital transformation, which can incorporate concepts such as Industry 4.0 (the ‘fourth industrial revolution’) and the greater computer-based connectivity of humans and machines; the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and embedded digital devices within tools, equipment and systems; and Big data involving the immense sources of data that can be analysed by computer algorithms to plot business patterns etc.

Moreover, we hear about how these developments will increasingly enhance or even transform not just the working practices within construction but also the end products – the buildings themselves and how they are made and maintained. Part of the motion and control backbone of this move towards ever greater levels of digital maturity is fluid power; whether hydraulic or pneumatic.

Plant and machinery lifecycle

Adrian Farnham, managing director, Camozzi Automation Ltd, believes developments in data analytics – including Big Data – are key facilitators in terms of ensuring users and OEMs are better informed regarding every aspect of equipment and machinery’s lifecycle. “With more refined levels of system integration involving the fluid power equipment, electronics, PLCs and computer software – particularly with regard to Big Data analytics – the construction sector is now in a better position than ever before to optimise every aspect of plant and machinery such as excavators or conveyors – from design through to reliable operation and ongoing maintenance, repair and overhaul,” he said.
“The importance of Big Data cannot be over-emphasised, because exporting data without having an effective mechanism in place to ensure the right selection, extraction, comprehension and execution of relevant data from the vast pool of business, operational and maintenance-related information that a company can have at its disposal can result in ineffective management of your assets. This can result in less effective operation of machinery and more costly downtime.”

Darren Jeavons, marketing manager, Fluidpower Group, stressed the importance of a sound maintenance regime in order to ensure plant and machinery is kept efficient and operational. “At Fluidpower Group we recognise that machine/production down-time can cost businesses millions of pounds each year, so as a distributor we have long-term partnerships with the leading fluid power manufacturers and are able to keep abreast of the most innovative products.” He further commented: “Our technical teams often work with manufacturers to help bring products to market which overcome the modern challenges our customers experience. We have found a key area of benefit to customers is the ability to easily identify a problem or a potential problem through integrated condition monitoring system. Such systems provide the transparency required for effective proactive maintenance leading to significant improvement in operational efficiency.”

Re-defining the boundaries

Farnham reflects that some might argue Industry 4.0 and related concepts receive too much exposure and that many of the benefits touted by solution providers within this space are not new and have been around for many years. However, it cannot be easily denied that the structure of the construction industry, like many others, is being reshaped and its boundaries are being redefined. This means that new skills are required; such as software development, systems engineering, data analytics and online security. In this respect, those involved in fluid power and the wider remit of motion control have to keep up to speed with these developments in order to remain efficient and competitive.”

Tracking and traceability

Jeavons made the point that it is imperative for OEMs and end users within the construction sector to be able to fully track and trace parts and components throughout the connected supply chain in order to remain legally compliant with regard to current regulations concerning everything from health and safety to environmental responsibility. “The nature of many fluid power products means they carry risk if they are not manufactured to specific standards or not installed correctly,” he said. “Therefore, selecting a reputable distributor who has the necessary accreditation is essential when considering risk management. As a distributor, we ensure all our products are traceable and have full audit trails. We also place a large emphasis on training all our employees; providing them with a full understanding of environmental and health and safety regulations and the implications of not following the correct processes.”

Machine condition monitoring and tracking systems are becoming more prevalent within the construction industry too. For example, Marubeni-Komatsu has introduced a system called Komtrax. “This system works by using a network of global positioning satellites (GPS) to tell you where your machine is and enables you to monitor its health,” explained Edward Prosser, the company’s marketing manager. “It also gives your machines actual working times, service meter readings, idling time and more.”

Prosser added that Komtrax lets users manage their complete Komatsu machine fleet in one place. “Komtrax can be used to monitor and organise your fleet and even export data into your management and office applications to analyse the data further to ensure machines are working efficiently,” he said. The information and reports that Komtrax creates are accessed via an app or online. In addition to using the Komtrax web site from a PC or laptop, users can also access Komtrax on the move by using the link created for smartphone users to have all their essential machine data immediately to hand.

Marubeni-Komatsu has also launched intelligent Machine Control construction equipment, such as the D61PXi bulldozer and the PC210LCi hydraulic excavator. Another main focus of the company is hybrid excavators. “The heart of the Komatsu Hybrid system is an ‘Ultra-Capacitor’ linked to the swing circuit,” Prosser pointed out. “This has shown itself to be safe and reliable across millions of hours of operations around the world.”

Wireless technology

Brandon Coursey, Sun Hydraulics’ electronics program manager, makes the point that in today’s smart technology landscape, modern wireless technology is being increasingly deployed within the mobile and industrial hydraulic sectors, with many resultant convenience, time and cost-related improvements while also ensuring that security remains sacrosanct. For example, Sun’s recently launched XMD modules are single- and dual-coil electro-hydraulic drivers for use in mobile and industrial hydraulic equipment. Both the XMD-01 and -02 drivers offer CAN communication capabilities for easy system integration. “Configurable using our free XMD Mobile smartphone app, the drivers come equipped for worldwide markets to control electrically operated hydraulic actuators used in construction equipment, as well as in other on- and off-highway equipment including agriculture, forestry, marine, earth moving and material handling,” explained Coursey. “Tuned for optimal flow and pressure control using Sun valves, the XMD driver delivers repeatable and reliable solutions for your application demands.”

Coursey added that the XMD is highly configurable, being simple and fast to set up through Sun’s free Bluetooth app. It is also rugged and designed for extreme environmental conditions in the mobile hydraulics industry. Moreover, the XMD is universal and can be used with any electroproportional or solenoid switching valve. The XMD can be password protected for additional safety and security while offering read only diagnostics like alarm and operational conditions for technicians in the field. Therefore, the XMD Mobile app is not only a free and globally available configuration tool, but also a free and globally available diagnostic tool.

Customisation

Farnham explained that the market now requires manufacturers to be more than just component suppliers. “Manufacturers, such as Camozzi within the fluid power sector, need to be solution providers, able to work with customers or integrators to develop special/customised products or amend existing equipment to suit a variety of applications and industries,” he said. “In the case of Camozzi, for some time now we have developed special products and invested in resources to cater to that demand. This has seen us establish a number of sub-divisions, most notably C_Applications, C_Digital, C_Fluid Control and C_Solutions, which bring together the technology and knowhow to deliver a totally specified and bespoke product solution.”

Picking up on the design/customisation theme, Jeavons believes it is important that a construction professionals’ distributor of choice must have the ability to provide a rapid prototyping service in order to ensure the design and specifications of the finished product will be 100% fit for purpose. “A 3D version of the final product helps customers to visualise what they can expect to receive, and to suggest any changes before the final product is delivered – again, it’s all about having that close connection with the customer,” he said.

Multitude of choices

Jeavons concluded: “There is a multitude of choices when it comes to selecting hydraulic or pneumatic products. Therefore, professionals should only connect with partners who can provide a breadth of product choice together with an in-depth application knowledge to ensure the correct products are selected for the application. Application engineers should be fully conversant with the wide-ranging needs of construction professionals and, where necessary, be able to think outside the box in order to find alternative, more cost-effective methods of satisfying customers’ requirements, as well as solving their problems. In this regard, both digital transformation concepts as well as direct human interaction are non-negotiables.”

So, digital transformation is gaining major traction within the construction sector and over the next few years it will continue to mature and become even more refined. This is a positive step towards ever more reliable machinery usage and maintenance as well as greater levels of security.

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